One of the important and rewarding areas of lay service in the Body of Christ at St. Michael's is the administration and spiritual oversight of the church. It's called vestry. This is a vital ministry in the church for the congregation can rise no higher than the commitment level of the vestry.

The dedicated members of the vestry partner with the rector to guide St. Michael's to closer relationships with God. While the vestry is often seen simply as the "governing board" of the parish, its decisions go beyond mere policy, affecting not just the structure and finances of the church, but also the spiritual lives of its people. As such, members of the vestry take on a sacred duty to pray, listen to God, one another, the members of the parish, and the deep hunger of the world, and then discern how God is calling St. Michael's to use our giftedness to bring God's kingdom closer to earth.

Is God calling you or someone you know to serve as a member of vestry? The essential "qualities" are: a willingness to serve Christ's church and His agenda, humility, faithfulness, commitment and a servant's heart.

Based on our Baptismal Covenant and Catechism, below are some basic guidelines to consider that will help with discernment.

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as the Son of God, acknowledged his as your Savior, surrendered to him as Lord of your life, and put your whole trust in his grace and love? (See BCP Page 302-303)

WORSHIP: Are you committed, as God enables you to worship with your parish family in church as often as possible? (See BCP Page 304, 856)

TREASURES: Are you and your family committed to trusting God with your financial resources and supporting the mission and ministry of the church?

GOD'S WILL: Are you willing to serve by seeking Christ's will for his church and giving as much attention to the spiritual life of the congregation as to the financial and administrative decisions? (Acts 1:21, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

SUPPORT: Are you willing to support parish functions -- social and spiritual -- with your work and attendance?

MEETINGS: Are you committed to attend vestry meetings; to participate in the training retreat; and to pray daily for your parish? (John 20:24-29)

If you think God is calling you or someone else at St. Michael's to serve in this ministry, please contact the person and ask their permission and then you may submit his/her name to Todd Pittenger at SRWarden@stmichaelschurch.com or Fr. Rick in the office. Vestry will serve a three-year term and be announced on January 27, 2019 at our Annual Meeting.

In Christ's love,

Family Advent Festival Tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 30

Angel Tree at St. Michael's

Our Angel Tree is back again this year to benefit students at Lake Silver Elementary and residents of the Orlando Union Rescue Mission.

The tree will be at the Family Advent Festival tomorrow night and will be in the Narthex on Sunday.

This year, Lake Silver has included specific needs for clothing, including jackets, shoes, underwear, etc. If you feel that meeting all or most of the wishes on the list may be too much for you and your family, please consider joining with another family and going in together this year.

You will find instructions for signing up to provide a gift for a child next to the tree.

Please have all gifts turned in to the office by the 14th of December so we have time to shop for any extras that may be needed before we turn them in to the school on the following Monday.

"I am writing to you to express my gratitude for St. Michael's Church and staff who have deeply impacted my life and my journey with God. I am a single mother of two children. Last June, I hit rock bottom. It came to a point when I no longer wanted to be on this earth. Out of desperation, I made an appointment with Fr. Rick whom I did not know and had never met. I came in a mess and looking for a glimmer of hope.

Fr. Rick met with me on a regular basis. He welcomed me and listened to me. Though I did not feel worthy of praying, Fr. Rick prayed with and for me and taught me that I was worthy in God's eyes and that I too could pray. I learned that God was walking with me on my journey and would carry me when I needed it. Fr. Rick, Fr. Greg, and Ashleigh walked with me on this journey. They supported me and showed me I was special in God's eyes.

I began taking my children to the Children's Family Service last fall. This was a gift for our whole family. I am grateful for the whole staff and St. Michael's family. I truly feel a part of the community and St. Michael's.

Recently I became a member of St. Michael's Church. I know I can never repay St. Michael's for what they have given me. My hope is I can pay the love and kindness forward as I find my passion and purpose."

God's dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion. - Desmond Tutu

Serve the World Day - Monday, Jan. 21, 2019

St. Michael's Serve the World Day will be a great opportunity for us to partner with five organizations (Lake Silver Elementary, Orlando Union Rescue Mission, Howard Philips Center for Children and Families, Harbor House, St. Francis House) to learn more about them and assist them with vital projects on each of their respective campuses.

The day will begin here at St. Michael's with breakfast and a time of prayer before we head to our job sites. Each team will receive a tour of the organization before digging into the work, hearing and seeing firsthand what happens on the front lines.

After completing our projects, we will return to St. Michael's for lunch and fellowship (and hopefully games, music, street hockey, etc.) Community service hours will be available for those earning them for school.

Homemade Baked Goods Needed for Christmas Dinner at the Coalition

Sign-up to Serve at the Coalition for the Homeless on Tuesday, December 25 and Tuesday, January 1!

Christmas Hams -- Partner With the Gathering this Christmas and New Year's Day!

12 semi-boneless hams are needed for Christmas Dinner at the Coalition (these would need to be brought to the church by December 18)

Feed My Lambs

Feed My Lambs bags will be going out this week. They will be available at the Family Advent Festival on Friday Night and in the Narthex on Sunday.

Didn't we just do this? Yes, We did. And the St. Michael's

f
amily has been incredibly faithful. In fact, between Lake Silver, Edgewater High School, the Puerto Rican Hurricane Relief and our Thanksgiving outreach we have collected and donated over 2 TONS of food this year.

However, as we are on the brink of Christmas vacation for OCPS we wanted to make sure that the shelves of Lake Silver and Edgewater were fully stocked.
Many of the children and teenagers at these schools will be going from a situation where the school provides 2-3 meals per day to a very limited food supply at home. We are asking for your help to fill the gap for the 16 days of break.

Pasta, Sauce (no glass please!), rice, beans and shelf-stable staple items are especially important. Please do what you can to assist those are struggling this time of year.

Thank you so much for all that you do!

Join us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

Christmas Flowers

The evergreens, flowers, and wreaths that enhance our Christmas celebration are purchased with gifts from members of the parish, both as thank offerings and as memorials. To have your memorials and thanksgivings printed in the Christmas Eve Bulletin, please have them in the Church Office
no later than Monday, December 17.

Please complete the form in the Bulletin on Sundays. Attach your check to the form and place it in the offering plate. Checks are payable to St. Michael's Church, marked Christmas Flowers. There is no set amount for your donation of flowers. You may also email